Are calico and tortoiseshell cats different, or are they a specific breed?

That's a great question! Color genetics in cats can be somewhat complicated, but essentially, tortie cats carry two separate genes for coat color - orange and black. Color genes are carried on the X-chromosome in cats, so only females can have both orange and black coloration - females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y. This is why torties and calicos are always female :) Each of her kittens will inherit one color gene, either orange or black. Depending on the color of the father, and whether the kittens are male or female, each kitten could easily end up with a gene for just one color. For example - a boy might get the "orange" gene from mom and nothing from dad (since males have one X and Y chromosome, so only one color). A girl might get the "orange" or "black" gene from mom, but not both - so whether or not she is a tortie would depend on the gene she gets from dad. So, in simple terms, it depends on the color of the father and the sex of the kittens - but can easily happen!

Male calicos are usually sterile because the gene for the black is carried on one x chromosome and the orange on another x chromosome, so, in order for a male calico to exist, it is because he has xxy chromosomes, not the typical xy combination. Only one in 100,000 male calico cats are estimated to NOT be sterile. Yes, two orange tabby cats can breed and produce offspring.

No, the kittens will stay the same color they are now. Orange kittens are the friendliest and most popular here. The mother looks like a calico which is rare in male cats. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Yes, I agree that Mango look to be a male and Mango is not a calico from the photo. Calicos are white, orange and black. mango look to be orange and white. https://www.petcoach.co/article/calico-cats-are-almost-always-female-rarely-male/ I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is no way to really know. Calico cats are always female and can have grey tabby kittens depending on her and the father's genetics. The fact she is under the deck with the kitten makes me think she is likely the mother. But you can not tell based on her color pattern if she is or not. Good luck!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. This could potentially be just a color change in the hair coat due to the change in season like you said yourself (winter coat). Some animals do develop color changes as they age as well. As long as she is acting normally and there are no changes to the skin, this is likely a normal change. If you are concerned at all, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made.

She’s beautiful! This is called a Domestic Shorthair. It is not a registered cat breed but a description of a type of mixed breed cat. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.